Get to Know Missouri State University's Dr. Richard "Biff" Williams

Like many cross-country moves, the Williams’ didn’t exactly go to plan. While Biff and Kristin planned to spend the week ahead of his official start date getting settled in their new home, their moving truck had other ideas. The couple took the adjustment in stride and spent the week getting to know the community.

They hit the highlights—from finding Andy’s to attending a Springfield Cardinals game, Tent Theatre and a comedy show. They even discovered Buc-ee’s.

“Nate Bargatze is one of our favorite comedians,” Williams says, mentioning the hard-to-get tickets near their old home. “We were excited to see him at Great Southern Bank Arena.”

As a certified athletic trainer—and with a career in athletics—Biff values exercise as part of his daily routine, and even as a way to get to know a new city. He and Kristin have been going on runs through town. “It’s amazing during a 13-mile run on Saturday, how much of Springfield you can see!” Williams says.

Networking is also an important tactic to Biff settling into a new place and career. “I try to be strategic in understanding who I need to get to know,” he says.

In his first week on the job, he sent get-to-know-you texts to nearly 50 legislators along with the local and state university presidents. That form of connection is one of his top tips for networking. “If you put yourself out there, whether it be email, text, call or attending an event, it creates opportunity to connect.”

With many people to meet and places to see while onboarding into a new role, Biff’s intentionality stretches into his day-to-day life to keep his family at the forefront. “I try to be deliberate with work-life balance and being present,” he says. “Kristin and I sit down on Sundays and go through the upcoming week’s events and other things we need to accomplish. While this can be a 24/7 job, I try to always make the family calendar a priority.”

That intentional planning is a tactic he’s utilized in previous roles to deliver his best in both his professional and personal lives. “I like learning about communities and learning about what’s happening at Missouri State,” he says. “I look forward to how much I can learn in a short amount of time and how I can help.”